Global Lightning Quanta

Abstract:

The World Meteorological Organization recently declared lightning an essential climate variable which makes the lightning flash rate a key quantity, currently assessed by geostationary satellites and ground based lightning location networks. Yet, no theory has been put forward to explain the physical relationships between the thermodynamic temperature of the Earth’s atmosphere T, the global lightning flash rate f_g , and its radiant energy E of resonant electromagnetic waves within the Earth ionosphere cavity. These three parameters are combined here using the rigorous principles of quantum physics. The minimum amount of radiant energy produced by the lighting flash rate is the global lightning quantum E = h f_g , h being Planck’s constant. The superposition of numerous global lightning quanta results in a photon gas that distributes its radiant energy around the world as Earth ionosphere cavity resonances. The novel theory is validated by measurements with a radiometer at Arrival Heights, Antarctica, as part of the Stanford ELF/VLF Radio Noise Survey. It is found that the measurements agree with the theory within ∼10 %. The radiant energy flux of global lightning quanta is ∼190 W/m^2 with a total of ∼0.5 J stored within the Earth ionosphere cavity. The derived thermodynamic temperature ∼−30 o C is similar in the mixed phase region of thunderclouds where lightning discharges are initiated. The theory can help to assess the impact of climate change on the Earth’s atmosphere and global lightning as proposed by the World Meteorological Organization.